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Pope Francis declared two of his predecessors, Popes John XXIII and John Paul II, saints in a historic mass on Sunday.

The current pope presided over a mass in front of 500,000 people who gathered in St. Peter's Square and surrounding streets at the Vatican, including the recently retired Pope Benedict XVI, according to the Associated Press. This is the first time a reigning pope and a retired one celebrated mass together, and the first time two popes were canonized at the same time.

"We declare and define that Blessed John XXIII and John Paul II be saints, and we enroll them among the saints, decreeing that they are to be venerated as such by the whole church," Francis said during the ceremony, according to the AP.

Francis decided to make John XXIII and John Paul II — two of the most popular popes in history — saints during the same mass as a show of unity, underscoring the importance of the Catholic Church's conservative and progressive wings, respectively.

"John XXIII and John Paul II cooperated with the Holy Spirit in renewing and updating the church in keeping with her pristine features, those features, which the saints have given her throughout the centuries," Francis said, according to the AP. "They were priests, bishops and popes of the 20th century."

"They lived through the tragic events of that century, but they were not overwhelmed by them."

We're included a gallery of photos of the historic day in Rome, below:

People Await

People wait to enter St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, on April 27, 2014, before the start of a historic day of four popes, with Popes Francis and Benedict XVI honoring John XXIII and John Paul II by declaring them saints in the first-ever canonization of two pontiffs.

Image: Vadim Ghirda/Associated Press

Two New Saints

Nuns hold up a poster with portraits of Pope John Paul II, left, and John XXIII, right, in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican on April 27, 2014.

Image: Emilio Morenatti/Associated Press

Faithful Fill the Streets

People fill via della Conciliazione, the road leading to St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican, on April 27, 2014.

Image: Andrew Medichini/Associated Press

Pope Benedict XVI Arrives

Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI, center, arrives in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican on April 27, 2014.

Image: Andrew Medichini/Associated Press

St. Peter's Basilica

The tapestries showing Pope John Paul II, left, and Pope John XXIII hang from the facade of St. Peter's Basilica, as Pope Francis leads a solemn ceremony on April 27, 2014.

Image: Alessandra Tarantino/Associated Press

View From the Square

Faithful fill St. Peter's Square during a solemn ceremony led by Pope Francis, at the Vatican on April 27, 2014.

Image: Domenico Stinellis/Associated Press

Pope Francis

Pope Francis gets his skullcap adjusted, as he leads a solemn ceremony in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican on April 27, 2014.

Image: Gregorio Borgia/Associated Press

View of St. Peter's Square

An estimate of around 800,000 faithful filled St. Peter's Square at the Vatican to attend the ceremony that declared John Paul II and John XXIII saints on April 27, 2014

Image: Alessandra Tarantino/Associated Press

Pope Francis' Blessing

Pope Francis delivers his blessing during a solemn canonization ceremony in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, on April 27, 2014.

Image: Alessandra Tarantino/Associated Press

A Nun's Tears

A nun cries as Pope Francis leads a solemn ceremony in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican on April 27, 2014.

Image: Emilio Morenatti/Associated Press

Flags of The Vatican and Poland

The flags of the Vatican and Poland (the country of origin of John Paul II) wave, as Pope Francis leads a solemn ceremony in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican on April 27, 2014.

Image: Domenico Stinellis/Associated Press

Incense

Pope Francis asperses incense, as he leads a solemn celebration in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican on April 27, 2014.

Image: Andrew Medichini/Associated Press

The Holy Communion

A priest gives holy communion to a woman in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican on April 27, 2014.

Image: Domenico Stinellis/Associated Press

Pope Francis

Pope Francis is driven through the crowd after presiding over a solemn ceremony in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican on April 27, 2014.

Image: Domenico Stinellis/Associated Press

View of St. Peter's Square From Above

An aerial view of St. Peter's Square at the Vatican on April 27, 2014.

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